NEWPORT is set to lose two of its four Boots pharmacies as part of a “store consolidation programme” announced in June.

The stores on Caerleon Road and Chepstow Road, in the St Julians and Maindee areas of Newport respectively, are set to close their doors for the last time in the first two months of 2024.

The health and pharmaceutical chain announced it would be closing 300 stores – around one in seven of all its stores – in the UK over the next year.

A Boots spokesperson said the consolidation programme would allow the company to “concentrate its team members where they are needed”.

South Wales Argus: Chepstow Road store

The programme has identified a number of sites where two stores are close together, typically within 2km of another Boots.

Affected staff will be offered alternative roles with the company, the Argus understands.

There are four Boots stores in Newport – a city centre store on Commercial Street and another at Newport Retail Park in Spytty.

Christine Richardson, 72, of Hereford Street, says she has been visiting the Caerleon Road pharmacy “nearly all her life” – spare for the years she spent in Australia before returning to Newport.

“I am disappointed because I’m a pensioner and it’s easy to get there,” Ms Richardson said. “I suppose the chemists will have to let me know where I can get my prescription.

South Wales Argus: Christine Richardson

“I’m healthy, touch wood, but some people need a lot of tablets. It won’t be good for them.”

St Julians resident Carol Osborn, 77, said she was “really sad” about the coming closures.

“There are other chemists which do prescriptions, but Boots do a lot of things,” she said.

“Newport used to be great for shopping. A lot of people go to these shopping centres now, which are fine if you can drive, but a lot of people my age don’t.

“This is just the way things are now.”

Thersaini Krash, 45, is a regular customer at the Caerleon Road store because she works nearby.

South Wales Argus: Thersaini Krash
“It’s really sad and disappointing,” she said.

“The staff are so helpful. I have two boys so anything can happen. The advice they give is brilliant.

“There’s a lot of old customers who use this store. This won’t be good for them.”